Adult Education

News about Adult Education, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times.

Chronology of Coverage

Apr. 4, 2015

Retiring column; college and university administrators are trying to figure out how to tap into growing market of retirees who want to embark on second careers after retirement and who are willing to enroll in classes to achieve that goal; growing number of Americans consider work as part of their retirement lifestyle. MORE

Mar. 20, 2015

Trend that could be called the academization of leisure has been on upswing, and more and more individuals with spare time and money are indulging in casual learning; buying Great Courses, live-streaming TED Talks lectures, podcasts and going on learning vacations are just some examples of edutainment, or mixing education and entertainment. MORE

Mar. 20, 2015

Anyone can learn almost anything, thanks to the Internet, but because of modern-day information overload and proliferation of massive open online classes, it has become almost impossible to master even one area of study, unlike the ancient masters or Renaissance men. MORE

Mar. 20, 2015

More retirees are drawn to online learning classes, which can provide a sampling of wide variety of classes from top-notch universities without having to travel; one drawback can be sense of isolation. MORE

Mar. 20, 2015

Video platform Skillshare invites both experts and amateurs to teach on its website; classes range from traditional, like creative fiction, to practical skills, like drinking a beer more efficiently. MORE

Mar. 20, 2015

Government Accountability Office reports student debt accumulated by Americans 65 and older has grown to about $18.2 billion in 2013, from about $2.8 billion in 2005; while some of that can be attributed to co-signing loans for children and grandchildren, good measure of it is for continuing education; experts offer ways for adult college students to manage debt. MORE

Jun. 28, 2014

Alina Tugend Shortcuts column; availability of intensive training courses or 'boot camps' that teach a wide variety of subjects is on the rise, even as number of fitness boot camps are leveling off or declining; educational experts question whether intense, quick learning actually stays with participants as effectively as learning over time and with repetition. MORE

Mar. 18, 2014

Some colleges are offering fellowship programs aimed at helping older workers transition into professional and managerial jobs in nonprofit sector; such programs help fill growing number of nonprofit positions and allow participants to work toward jobs that help others. MORE

Mar. 18, 2014

Culinary education can be worthwhile investment for those looking to break into high-end food services industry, particularly for career-changers; formal training is becoming fastest and most efficient way into food industry that has grown in competition and complexity. MORE

Mar. 18, 2014

Number of full-time adult learners over age 24 is growing as economic benefits of having college degree become more apparent, but their completion rates lag behind those of their younger peers; only 61 percent of students over age 24 graduate, compared with 81 percent for younger students; discrepancy in influenced by factors including economic pressures, family responsibilities and advantages colleges confer on younger students. MORE

Jul. 18, 2013

New York City plans to spend $18 million over next two years to help young unauthorized immigrants qualify for a federal program that grants a temporary reprieve from deportation; money will add 16,000 seats to adult education classes throughout the city, and priority for those slots will be given to immigrants who might qualify for reprieve. MORE

Mar. 24, 2013

Op-Ed article by James Atlas reflects on downside of brooding about how one could have live one's life differently, which seems more common due to increased longevity, and is evident in flourishing adult education business. MORE

Mar. 19, 2013

Job certificate programs, offered by many community colleges, are prized by employers for equipping workers with in-demand skills, but such students are often not eligible for federal financial aid; educators and economists say government should make it easier for students to get certificates because they bolster students' employability and America's overall competitiveness. MORE

Mar. 19, 2013

Aging population in United States is creating several new job fields and opportunities for workers of all ages; article describes growing job sectors serving elderly and the continuing education needed to qualify for jobs. MORE

Mar. 19, 2013

Older students with established careers are increasingly returning to college to try on new career paths or for love of learning itself. MORE

Mar. 19, 2013

Tax credits and deductions can help taxpayers meet costs of continuing education; eligibility depends on income, how tuition is paid and type of student; available credits and deductions and how they work described. MORE

Mar. 19, 2013

Aquatic Academy at Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, Calif, offers classes by scientists to audiences comprised mostly of older adults; academy is part of effort to transform aquarium from destination for school or family day trips into serious adult-learning environment. MORE

Nov. 4, 2012

Learning Annex has begun charging by the minute for phone, Skype and email consultations and classes. MORE

Sep. 2, 2012

App City column on start-ups Classtivity and Skillshare, which help users find classes offered to adults in New York City. MORE

Jul. 20, 2012

Care Center in Massachusetts is a nonprofit alternative education program where young mothers work toward their GEDs and can get parenting instruction, college-transition support and other services; center offers the Clemente Course for the Humanities, which provides instruction in the humanities to the poor. MORE